Hannover midfielder Franca diagnosed with tuberculosis

Hannover 96 midfielder Franca has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and will be out for several months according to the club's website.

Franca joined the Bundesliga outfit in January from Coritiba and has not played a competitive match since the move.

"I'm sorry for Franca, but the most important thing now is that he recovers. We wish him the best in his recovery, he's in good hands," said the club's sports manager, Jörg Schmadtke.

The statement also revealed that due to tight infection controis in Germany, it is likely that Franca picked up the disease from outside the country with tuberculosis knwo to stay dormant for up to four months after infection.

The club is already taking precautions by testing the playing and coaching staff for the disease in order to ensure that an outbreak will not happen.